Paul SEIXAS. 10 with honors. He doesn't just win, he demolishes the field. Takes the lead and never relinquishes it. Does whatever he wants, however he wants. Words fail: this Frenchman is also part of this "nouvelle vague" of riders born ready. He's the youngest-ever winner of the Fleche Brabanconne: 19 years and 210 days old. Better than Philémon De Meersman, who won the inaugural edition in 1936 at the age of 21 years and 150 days. He sweeps away everything and everyone. Raises the bar, moves it significantly, and takes center stage. Someone will say: the best riders weren't there. But today, there certainly weren't any lightweights here. These weren't extras, but established, finished riders. He's barely sketched out, with that boyish face of a grown adolescent, with those pimples that make him angelic, but on a bike he's simply a predator. He sets no limits for himself and he tells us so directly. No one forces him to be there, he wants to be there. Just a few years ago there were those who wanted to replace the will of thoroughbred colts, today the colts paw at the ground and there are those with the merit of letting them do it, with the lightness of those who want to have fun, even against the greatest.

Mauro SCHMID. 8. The Swiss champion positions himself in the firing line, though it would take at least a slingshot to stop the angel from Lyon. He does everything well, does everything right, does what he can for a team that in this spring thought they wouldn't be protagonists without Matthews, yet they're defending themselves brilliantly.

Ben TULETT. 7.5. The 24-year-old Brit knows perfectly well that the young Frenchman is a threat, but once you know that, either you counter him or you accept it.

Benoît COSNEFROY. 6.5. The 30-year-old Frenchman has the thankless task of playing Pogacar's deputy. He wants to keep his UAE-Emirates as high as possible, and he nearly makes the podium.

Mattias SKJELMOSE. 6. Matteo is in good form and shows it today too. It's not exactly his race, but since he's here, he shows what he's made of. In truth, he showed us that two years ago as well, when he was practically pulled off his bike in obvious physical distress. A rider with a crazy temperament: always, in every case.

Alex BAUDIN. 6. He's one of the Frenchmen filling out the top ten. Does his job with diligent determination.

Ion IZAGIRRE. 6. At 37 years old he gives himself the satisfaction of still being there dancing with those who could be his grandchildren.

Lenny MARTINEZ. 5.5. Needless to say he's French. Needless to say he finishes in the top ten (five in the top 10), though from a rider like this, perhaps something more was expected today.

Romain GREGOIRE. 6. The 23-year-old Frenchman exalts his cousins who have an abundance of young pedal-pushers. And Romain, next Sunday, will be there again: just like last Sunday.

Christian SCARONI. 5.5. He's the first of the Italians and finishes just outside the top ten: 11th. When they line up for the final attack he's there ready with all his weapons. Then he slides backward, with his weapons: heavy ones.

Filippo ZANA. 5.5. The 27-year-old from Vicenza throws himself into the fray, but struggles to make his mark.